Southwest Colorado below state average

In the southwest corner of the state  Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties  17.5 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, less than the statewide figure. Of them, 49.9 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 72.3 percent said they needed care after hours, and 42.6 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In the San Luis Valley, including Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties, 16.2 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, lower than statewide. Of them, 39.4 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 83 percent said they needed after-hours care, and 72.2 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In the central mountain region of Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Pitkin and Summit counties, 12.3 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, the lowest share in the state. Of them, 30.7 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 87.1 percent said they needed after-hours care, and 44.1 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In the western counties of Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel and Hinsdale, 22.1 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, about the same as statewide. Of them, 54.1 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 53.1 percent said they needed care after hours, and 58.6 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In Weld County, 22.3 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, the same share as statewide. Of them, 37.1 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 76 percent said they needed after-hours care, and 70.9 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In Boulder and Broomfield counties, 19.6 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, somewhat less than the statewide figure. Of them, 52.1 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 89.9 percent said they needed after-hours care, and 53.9 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In El Paso County, 27.3 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, somewhat more than the statewide figure. Of them, 43.6 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 76.4 percent said they needed after-hours care, and 69.6 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In Pueblo County, 24.6 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, somewhat more than the statewide figure. Of them, 53.9 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor. Of that group, 73.7 percent said they needed care after hours, and 86.3 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.

In Mesa County on the Western Slope, 31.5 percent of respondents went to an emergency room in the previous year, less than the statewide figure. Of them, 47.4 percent said they could have been treated by a general doctor.

Of that group, 85.3 percent said they needed care after hours, and 62.4 percent said they could not get an appointment with a doctor soon enough.